I don’t know about you but my handbag is a pretty important part of my outfit, and when I pick one it has to have every detail to fit my needs because I wear it all day long and it’s usually filled to the brim! I was recently sent the Square Dark Orange Tote by Angela & Roi to review and immediately fell in love with the bag AND the company! It’s a roomy tote that can easily carry an ipad or books and has separate pockets on the outside (essential for people like me that lose everything). It also has a detachable strap making it not only stylish but super functional. Angela & Roi offer a wide variety of vegan made handbags with a vintage feel that have a luxurious look without the hefty price tag. Their classic selection of bags and colors make them closet must-haves that will never go out of style. I also think it’s brilliant how they incorporate charitable endeavors via color. How does the Donate by Color Mission work? Different medical issues relate to specific colors. For example, Colon Cancer awareness links traditionally with the color blue. When customers purchase a blue handbag, five dollars will automatically be donated to Colon Cancer Alliance. Check out my tote below and for more info visit – www.AngelaRoi.com

I’m out of that stage where I actally need an entire bag dedicated to baby essentials, but when I was I nevertheless refused to carry around the Baby Looney tunes adorned bags that were all the rage. I always used an alternative – like a cute backpack (I still keep one in my car with emergency items for the kids) or a big tote. Best part was that I got tons of use from both afterwards which made it a win win! Check out some stylish alternatives to traditional baby bags below for under $50 from Yeswalker. Oh, and don’t forget Yeswalker is still running their BOGO and free international shipping so stock up!

Forget sugar daddies and designer watches – there’s only one thing you really need on your arm this season, and that’s a trend-hitting handbag. So get ready to cart your life about in style with our guide to the very best choices out there now:

Vibrant

The beauty of a good bag is that it can bring a delicious pop of colour to any outfit, and that’s just what you’ll get when you make a beeline for the latest neon treasures. The best way to rock the look is on a night out; pick a micro handbag and let the colour bring the big attitude.

Look to the future

Silver, shiny, studded and sparkling – the futuristic trend is your chance to have a love affair with all things metallic. Choose bags with unusual shapes and features – padlocks, clear panels, whatever you want goes, as long as it’s got that space-age edge.

If in doubt, oversize it

Oversized beauties by designers like Alexander Wang and Chloé are an indomitable presence in the style world right now, so who cares if your bag is only half full? Throw the biggest one you can find over your shoulder and strut your stuff.

Classic cool

Investing in a classic handbag is always the right move to make, but this season the ladylike glamour of a soft leather number in a timeless barrel shape is just what you need to finish off any look. Don’t be scared to coordinate with gloves and shoes; if you’re going to do the classic look, you may as well do it properly!

The briefcase is back in town

If you don’t want the responsibility of looking too grown up then opt for the briefcase’s cool cousin, the satchel. Henry Holland’s purple checked version, available from the range at Debenhams is perfect, and the print means you’ll be ticking off this season’s huge heritage trend, too.

Miranda Kerr’s outfit defines fall fashion! It perfectly mixes traditional fall colors with trendy bright tones – a must have for running errands or a casual day at the office. Get Miranda’s look with pieces from Nordstrom, DSW & more!

I’ve been meaning to do this Lauren Conrad Copycat post for a while but never got around to it until now. Love how the red, cutesy skirt is perfectly toned down by the basic white tank and black sandals (the classic tote is a great finishing touch). I know I say it a lot, but this outfit really is the epitome of an effortless and transitional style and I can totally see it worn with a turtleneck and tights for fall. Get Lauren’s look for less from She Inside, Forever21, Peggy Li Creations & more!

I love Kelly Ripa’s style…it’s classic, sexy and functional. This particular outfit is perfect for summer and the pieces can be worn a ton of different ways. Get Kelly’s look for less with pieces from Target, J Crew, Yesstyle and more!

Whilst many handbags are fabulous enough to multitask, there is no doubt, and therefore no argument, that a woman needs many different bags for the many different faucets of her life. By our reckoning, the average lady needs several different types of handbags in her wardrobe, all of which serve fully functioning purposes.

The shoulder bag is an everyday essential for every woman. From small or medium, through to the oversized, the shoulder bag will hold a woman’s whole life inside it. From shoes, books, purse, make up, hairbrush, mobile phone, keys – the shoulder bag is the holding area for every product that a lady uses throughout her average day. The best shoulder bags to look out for are ones with plenty of internal and / or external pockets and pouches, as how many times have you tried to get to a ringing mobile phone at the bottom of a shoulder bag?!

Not too dissimilar in functionality to the shoulder bag, a crossover or satchel is a slightly more casual and sporty alternative. The across the body strap makes it easier to carry, and somewhat safer if you are moving around a big city or constantly on the go. Again, crossovers come in many different sizes, to extra small right through to specialist laptop carriers.

The clutch is a smaller equivalent of a shoulder bag, only it simply contains everything that you need on an evening out. Due to the reduction in size, a clutch must hold only the essentials such as mobile phone, lipstick and money. A clutch doesn’t have to be tiny, eighties large envelope style clutch’s’ are making a comeback and these can hold an impressive amount of products.

The Hobo bag is slouchy when set down, typically is of a crescent shape with a single strap. Worn on the shoulder but normally smaller than a shoulder bag, the hobo is ideal for women who don’t carry their homes in their bags and only need a few items with them during the day.

At one time not too long ago, the tote shopper was reserved only for use by the elderly. Luckily, the event of supermarkets reining in the use of their plastic bags meant that we shoppers had to start using environmentally friendly shopping bags and a new era of the tote was born.
Not technically a handbag, but just as useful, the weekender is a must have item for all. It is larger than a shoulder bag, with the practicalities of a suitcase but all the style of a great bag. It is one of the most sought after bags in fashion, sometimes bearing a waiting list of up to six years! Many different versions are available and it has just as much room as carry on suitcases and excludes far more style.

All three versions above are definitely invaluable additions to every woman’s wardrobe.

Reese Witherspoon just announced she’s pregnant and I can’t wait to see how she incorporates her baby bump with her fab style! Love how she mixed tall suede boots, a basic black pull over and a dainty flowered skirt in this picture. It’s a great transitional outfit and easy to recreate on your own (not to mention perfect for expectant moms!). Tip: don’t skimp on the sweater; it’s a classic staple and worth the investment. Get Reese’s look for less from Old Navy, Shop Ruche and more!

A handbag does so much more than just amplify your outfit; it’s an extension of your personality. That’s why I concentrate less on brand names and cost and pay more attention to shape, detail and overall vibe. For example I LOVE the unstructured style of hobo bags and choose ones that have a slightly worn look and distinct details. What does this say about me? Well, I’m a hippie at heart and I prefer to let my mood dictate the overall outfit and accessory selection (and yes, I’m also a little sloppy!). Sure, handbags are a marquee accessory and the tendency to pick one that’s “in” or that matches the majority of your outfits is hard to deny. But sometimes the bag chooses you, and when it does it’s magic! Check out some of my all time fave hobos below and tell me…what does your bag say about you?

Love the concept of these hilariously functional picnic/clutch bags from Marie Turnor Accessories. With catchy names like “The Picnic Clutch” and “The Dinner Clutch,” they resemble the basic brown paper bag and come in a variety of sizes (only four colors available: tan, black, red and white). Made in Southern California, the clutches range from $175 to $220. Check them out below or visit MarieTurnor.com.